FREMANTLE PARTNERS WITH NIPPON TV ON GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
TO NEW PHYSICAL GAMESHOW COMPETITION "ANTS"
LONDON - 20th February 2025 - Fremantle has acquired the global distribution rights to the hilarious hit Japanese competition format Ants where teamwork isn't just encouraged, it's the only way to win. Inspired by the incredible coordination of real ant colonies, this feel-good, action-packed format proves that when people work together, no challenge is too big.
Originally created and produced by Nippon TV and further developed by Fremantle North America for global expansion, Ants has already launched in Japan for Nippon TV, created buzz as an iconic game show for its playful yet physically demanding challenges, iconically themed characters, larger-than-life set design, and engaging team-based gameplay, and is now ready for the international market. Fremantle has picked up the format for co-distribution, with Nippon TV distributing in Asia (excluding Indonesia, India and Singapore), and Fremantle distributing in rest of world.
In this laugh-out-loud, unique competition, contestants are transformed to the size of ants and must navigate a super-sized world to complete physical challenges that necessitate strategy thinking. From individual to group games, contestants experience larger than life obstacles, such as transporting mega sizes food items across a giant kitchen as fast as possible to win the cash prize, all while racing against the clock. The more items the contestants collect, the bigger the prize and while some ants will make it, others will not to tragic results.
Originally launched on Nippon TV as a high-energy special, Ants has quickly gained attention for its playful yet physically demanding challenges, larger-than-life set design, and engaging team-based gameplay.
Jimmy Fox, EVP, Head of Development & Sales, Unscripted at Fremantle, said: "We have always admired Nippon TV's legacy of innovative and genre defining format creation, whether it is Dragons' Den which brought American audiences Shark Tank or Sokkuri Sweets which sparked the 'cake or not cake' phenomenon. It is so rare to find a format that makes you say to yourself 'I have never seen anything like this.' Ants is one of those formats."
Vasha Wallace, EVP Global Acquisitions and Development, Global Entertainment at Fremantle, said: "We are excited to bring Ants to the global stage. This show is absolute laugh out loud, hilarious and compelling viewing and we as a result we have had a lot of interest in it already. Ants blends humour with physical challenges in a way that is both engaging and fun for audiences of all ages. Its unique premise makes it a perfect addition to Fremantle's growing portfolio of innovative concept formats. We look forward to working with our global partners to bring this one-of-a-kind show to viewers internationally."
Tom Miyauchi, Head of Formats, Nippon TV, said: "Welcome to Ants! It's a thrilling collaboration between Fremantle and Nippon TV, combining the best of both worlds through this universal concept. This exciting, super-sized game show offers a unique perspective on the familiar species, highlighting the power of unity and teamwork, much like the ants themselves."
For more information about Ants / Contact NIPPON TV
ABOUT FREMANTLE
Fremantle is a leading global creator, producer and distributor of some of the world's most successful content across Entertainment, Drama & Film, and Documentaries.
Amplifying local stories on a global scale, Fremantle produces and delivers premium, multi-genre IP across the 27 territories it operates in. Fremantle is a proudly independent group of content creators, and home to some of the biggest entertainment formats, compelling international dramas, award-winning films and high-quality documentaries.
From Got Talent to Neighbours, Password to Poor Things, Fellow Travelers to Queens, Too Hot To Handle to Big Mood, Maxton Hall to Idols, and Priscilla to House of Kardashian, our focus is simple - Fremantle creates and delivers irresistible entertainment.
Fremantle also represents world-leading digital and branded entertainment, with more than 495 million fans and 300 billion views for its standout content across all platforms.
Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann.
For more information, please visit www.fremantle.com, follow Fremantle on Twitter @FremantleHQ and Instagram @fremantle or visit Fremantle's LinkedIn page.
ABOUT NIPPON TV
Nippon TV is Japan's leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse, as well as owner of streaming giant Hulu in Japan. Nearly 90% of its content IP is fully owned by Nippon TV and the company has been active in bringing its content to the international market in the form of anime, ready-made programs, formats, and through co-production partnerships.
One of the biggest successes for the nation's finest producer of all genres of programming is the Emmy Award-winning Dragons' Den/Shark Tank, a globally successful business show format that has 52 versions in more than 186 countries across all continents of the world. Additionally, their hit drama series Mother has also achieved global success as the most exported scripted format out of Asia, with its format sales to South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Spain, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, The Philippines, and more.
The company is also known for its viewer-engaging show Old Enough!, streaming on Netflix in over 190 countries and recently adapted in Mongolia and Canada, BLOCK OUT, an action-packed game show format that has been adapted in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, and the Netherlands, the award-winning unscripted format Sokkuri Sweets, produced as Eye Candy for The Roku Channel in the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands for NPO1.
Nippon TV has also been producing anime series since the 1950s and acquired Studio Ghibli in 2023, making the Academy Award-winning studio its subsidiary. As evident by the company's success, Nippon TV is leveraging its coveted platform to revolutionize digital media in an ever-changing industry to solidify its presence and brand as a global media leader.
